Doubts over verdict, says Karunanidhi

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi on Monday said legal experts had raised doubts whether a verdict delivered by a judge appointed on contract basis in a sensitive case could be accepted.

In a statement, he said the Supreme Court had advised the Government of Karnataka to consult the High Court in that State on the issue of reappointing the Judge who heard the disproportionate assets case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

The judge retired from service and handed over charge on Monday.

Replying to a question on a petition filed in the apex court seeking that the disproportionate assets case be tried and disposed by a particular judge, he said it was natural that a person facing charges would try to get acquitted.

Alternate mechanisms like Lok Adalat, Arbitration, are for civil matters.But in criminal justice 'judicial outsourcing' will put accountability & probity at risk. Judges on contract could be for petty cases. Judiciary not only needs to deliver fair justice but should essentially appear to be so.Admin. of judiciary should have definite style &never left to accused or prosecution to decide who to decide with ambitions on how to decide.No one should hastily conclude that the Judge on extn would conclude in a particular style,but accused seeks extn believing it to be so. If accused solicit a judge, look it with suspicion;judge is not an arbitrator appointed by accused.
Extn was sought for speedy trial, but that accused steadily worked against it earlier didnot get required attention. Parallel issues on petition before HC on Bhavani's role were decided here . Some thread is apparently missing somewhere.

from:
GEORGE AUGUSTIN T

Posted on: Oct 2, 2013 at 15:42 IST

It has been along delayed case and the defendants seek many adjournments and approach higher judiciary at the drop of hat. It is really surprising that Apex court has all along consistently taken sympathetic view of defendants and now suggest complete the case with retired judge. If these logic to be followed, simply no judge wd retire and justice wd be sold in auction soon. I wd have appreciated, had Apex court instructed them to face the case, instead of delaying the case. God save the country.